The Best Hoverboards for Kids and Hoverboard Safety Tips

Hoverboards are still all the rage. but parents often worry about the safety of this scooter/skateboard hybrid. There have been reports of hoverboards catching fire and accidents happening, which may have some parents reluctant to take the plunge.

If you’re thinking of getting your child a hoverboard, we have some safety tips to share with you as well as a look at some of the best hoverboards for kids. 

Related: Are Electric Dirt Bikes Safe for Kids?

At What Age Can You Get a Hoverboard? 

Most hoverboards are recommended for kids ages 8 and up. It’s best to read the instructions before buying your child a hoverboard to make sure it’s age appropriate. You know your child best. If you don’t think they are ready for a hoverboard, it’s best to wait until a better time.

Many hoverboards have different maximum speeds that can typically range from 6mph to 9mph. This can also help you gauge whether a hoverboard is right for your child.

Hoverboard Safety Tips for Kids 

If you’re ready to buy your child a hoverboard, here are safety tips to follow:

1. Always Wear a Helmet 

As with a bicycle, you always want to make sure your child is wearing a helmet when they ride a hoverboard. Accidents can happen that cause them to fall and hit their heads. 

Wearing a helmet can help to reduce the risk of serious injury. When it comes to safety gear, knee pads and elbow pads are also a good idea if your child is just starting out.

2. Don't Overcharge the Battery 

Overcharging a hoverboard battery can increase the risk of it overheating and catching fire. While most batteries take 4-5 hours to charge, read the manual for your hoverboard to see how long it takes the battery to charge. Never charge the battery overnight.

3. Don't Touch the Hoverboard if it Overheats 

If you notice any smoke coming from your hoverboard, keep it out of the reach of children and don’t allow them to ride it. This is a hazard that can lead to serious injury.

4. Avoid Riding in Traffic and at Night 

It can be difficult to stop your hoverboard, especially if you’re new. Riding in traffic and at night is never a good idea, even if your child is a seasoned pro. Keep riding time to the daylight hours away from traffic.

5. Take a Practice Run 

You don’t want your child to go out in an area with lots of people as soon as they get their hoverboard (although they’ll want to). Have them practice in a space where they won’t bump into places or things.

6. Store Hoverboard in Cool Spaces 

Lithium-ion batteries can run hot. Be sure to store hoverboards in a location with proper ventilation to prevent them from exploding. Also, try not to store it on carpeting or near other flammable surfaces in case of fire.

Can Hoverboards Catch on Fire? 

The simple answer here is yes!

This is by far one of the biggest concerns when you’re talking about hoverboards and kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised that parents use discretion before allowing a child to use a hoverboard.

When hoverboards first rolled onto the scene in 2013, they were extremely popular. But, by 2016, fires involving hoverboards were reported prompting the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue dozens of recalls. These involved several hoverboard brands because of more than 250 incidents related to overheating and fires that were reported. According to the CPSC, there have been 13 burn injuries, three smoke inhalation injuries, and two deaths associated with the use of hoverboards.

Hoverboards can catch fire when the lithium-ion battery pack overheats. This can lead to smoking, explosions, and fire. Leaving hoverboards charged for too long can cause them to overheat, increasing the risk of fire. The CPSC advises only charging your hoverboard when someone is there to watch it. This can reduce the risk of it starting a fire.

To deal with the issue of hoverboards catching fire and exploding, Underwriter Laboratories (UL), a third-party certification firm, developed the UL 2272 Safety Standard. This guideline details a rigorous list of tests that a hoverboard must pass to be UL2272 certified. 

These standards test the electrical drive train system, charger system, and battery system. While this holds hoverboards to a high standard, just because you’ve bought a certified hoverboard doesn’t mean it still doesn’t have the potential to explode.

Features to Look For in a Hoverboard for Kids 

1. Safety 

As with anything involving your kids, safety is number one. Never buy a hoverboard without a UL2272 certification. If you’re buying a hoverboard through Amazon or another online retailer, this should be listed in the product description. You can also check the hoverboard for a hologram label on its underbelly that indicates the certification.

2. Age Appropriateness 

Check the age requirements for the hoverboard you’re considering buying. You want to get a hoverboard that your child can handle.

3. Speed 

Hoverboards generally go between 6mph and 9mph. Determine what speed your child can handle. Hoverboards require a lot of balance and if it’s going too fast, it’s going to be harder to stop.

Some hoverboards come with an app that allows parents to limit the speed. This is a great feature for beginners.

4. Range 

Read the manual to see how long hoverboards can be used without needing to be charge. Many can go 3-7 miles on a full charged. You don’t want the battery to run out too soon or your child will get frustrated with it.

5. Battery 

Check to see the type of battery in the hoverboard you’re considering. Most hoverboards have lithium-ion batteries. Every hoverboard that has been recalled by the CPSC had a lithium-ion battery pack.

The LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) is a newer type of lithium-ion battery. It is considered to be safer than standard lithium-ion batteries. The chemistry of the specific lithium used in these batteries is said to be more stable than the others.

What are the Benefits of Hoverboards? 

Hoverboards come with many health benefits. Here are just a few:

Hoverboarding Burns Calories 

If you’re tired of seeing your child sit and play video games, a hoverboard will get them moving and burning calories. Controlling a hoverboard requires using many different muscle groups that will help to keep your child in shape.

Hoverboarding Enhances Reflexes 

As your child tries to balance on a hoverboard, they need some pretty sharp reflexes. Riding a hoverboard requires them to be quick while keeping their balance.

Hoverboarding Helps with Posture 

How many times have you told your child to sit or stand up straight? Controlling a hoverboard requires you to stand up straight as you engage your core. This helps to improve posture at the same time.

The Best Hoverboards for Kids in 2022 

Now that we know what to look for in a hoverboard as well as some safety tips, it’s time to look at the best hoverboards for kids. Here are some of our top picks:

Swagtron Twist 

The Swagtron Twist is a good choice for beginners and younger kids. It’s less sensitive to your child’s sudden movements and can only reach 6 mph. This is great for new riders because it prevents them from going too fast.

Kids can go 3-5 miles without needing a recharge. The Swagtron hoverboard comes with a stable LiFePO4 battery compared to the standard lithium-ion batteries found in most hoverboards. This batter comes with a 5-year warranty. Another plus is that this hoverboard comes with LED lights in the front and on the wheels.

GoTrax Nova and Nova Pro 

The GoTrax Nova and Nova Pro offer a smooth ride whether it’s inside or outdoors. Although these two models can accelerate at a quick pace, it’s at a controlled movement. Both are also pretty responsive to the rider’s movements, but they also allow the kids to self-balance to stay on the board.

Both models have a maximum speed of 6.2 mph and a maximum weight of 176 pounds. The Nova has a 3.1-mile range before it needs charging while the Pro gives you a little more time at 5 miles. The Pro is also a Bluetooth hoverboard that can pair easily with your smartphone.

If you’re looking for a more rugged ride, the Pro comes with 6.5″ all-terrain tires compared to the Nova’s 6.5″ smooth tread. If your child is new to the hoverboard scene, the Nova’s tires should be sufficient. Your child isn’t going to be going on dirt trails if they’re just beginning!

Tomoloo Music-Rhythmed Hoverboard 

If your child wants a little attention while they’re on the board, they’ll certainly get it with the Tomoloo Music-Rhythmed Hoverboard. It has a 5-watt speaker, as well as color-changing LED lights. The lights change color to the beat and alternate between red, green, blue, and yellow.

The Tomoloo hoverboard also includes a lithium-ion battery and a powerful 500- to 600-watt motor. If you’re worried that this powerful motor will allow your child to go too fast, you can control the speed setting with an app. There is also a self-balancing technology that makes it easier to stay on board.

The Tomoloo comes with 6.5-inch racing-level tires that run smoothly over a variety of surfaces. These are wider than standard wheels, making it easier to go up and down slopes, on grass, and off-road onto mud.

It can also go 7.4 miles on a single charge which is pretty impressive! The board can handle a 20- to 30-degree incline and a weight limit of 220 pounds.

Liege Self-Balancing Scooter Hoverboard 

If your child is at least 13 years old, you may want to consider the Lieagle Self-Balancing Scooter Hoverboard. This one is powerful, so it’s recommended for older kids, not beginners.

It’s best for teens who have experience and can go off-road and want an all-terrain hoverboard for sand, gravel, and even the beach. Equipped with a 6.5-inch wheel size, this hoverboard can be ridden on slopes of up to 15 degrees of incline or decline at a top speed of 8 mph.

This board has a UL2272 safety certification and LED headlights and sidelights. This safety feature makes kids and their boards more visible if they’re riding as the sun goes down. they will be more visible if they are riding late.

Uni-Sun Hoverboard for Kids 

You can file the Uni-Sun Hoverboard under rugged hoverboards for kids. It has 300-watt hub dual motors and a max speed of 9 miles per hour with a battery life of 9 miles. The weight capacity of this hoverboard is 264 pounds.

The Uni-Sun Hoverboard is sturdy with solid rubber tires that measure 6.5 inches. These rugged tires can go over various surfaces smoothly.

Parents praise how easy it is to ride. The board includes two technologies, which help the rider find their balance and take turns without falling off. It comes with two sturdy wheels that enhance the overall stability.

It also comes with built-in gyroscope foot sensors. These respond swiftly to the angles of the feet. Kids can also better keep their balance with smart self-balancing technology.

Fun LED lights on the tires, sides, and front, make it easy to spot this hoverboard from anywhere. It also has Bluetooth speakers if your child wants to play some music while they’re riding.

The Bottom Line on the Best Hoverboards for Kids 

When you’re looking for a high-quality hoverboard for your child, you want safety to be number one. Look for the UL2272 certification and check for any recalls. When charging the batter, be sure not to overdo it, and always keep an eye to prevent any overheating and fires.

If your child is just starting out, choose a hoverboard that’s simple and slow. They don’t need to reach high max speeds when they’re just learning. Helmets and safety gear like knee pads and elbow pads are always a good idea.

Look at the battery life so that you know how far your child can go before needing a recharge. You also want to make sure that the hoverboard you’re choosing is age appropriate. 

Read the label and manuals and follow all safety recommendations. While you want your child to have fun, you also want them to be as safe as possible doing it.